So I got a new cool toy, it’s a TVisto Lite 2500. Think of it as a mini-hard drive that hooks up (and is powered) by your USB 2.0 port (Macintosh, Windows, probably anything), then you drag video, mp3 and photo files over to it. Then you go hook it up to your TV/stereo system (with the included cable and power adaptor) and a menu pops up and you can play the video, mp3 or photos on your TV and speakers. You can use the buttons on the box or the included remote control. It’s an easy way to get those files off your computer and play them on any other TV/stero at home or at a friend’s. It’s awesome!
It plays MPGs, AVIs, MP3s and PGs (it plays some DVD files semi-successfully). When it arrived I was confused since it was only 5.2“ x 3.1” x 0.7“ (13.2cm x 7.8cm x 1.8cm) big. I thought it took a full size drive (my mistake I confused it with a larger model) and wouldn’t have ordered it had I realized the size, but I’m so glad I did (plus you can use it as a portable hard drive). You have to put your own drive in it (I put in a 10GB I had lying around the house) by literally popping it in and putting in 4 screws to close the case. I’m picking up a 60 or 80 GB drive the next time I see one on sale.
This is the Official Site. They list some additional models that hold full size drives and some play some more file formats but this is great so far!
Hey, cool site! I got myself a Tvisto as well. I got the HD installed and formated, but when I hook it up to the TV, nothing comes up? Any ideas? Do i need to change the TV to a certain setting? The Tvisto Manual is kind of lousy ;)
Thanks !
Tanja
I have been looking for something EXACTLY like this. I hate watching all those divx movies I have on the tiny laptop screen when there’s a perfectly good TV sitting right in front of me. You should note, however, that all the bigger ones that they have? Those are just external hard drive enclosures. No multimedia playing abilities.